D.C. Circuit Lets Stand Ruling For Verizon

Sprint Nextel Corp. claimed that the agency’s decision to grant Verizon‘s forbearance petition asking the FCC not to apply the broadband regulations was based on a 2-2 vote that “had the effect of denying Verizon’s petition.” Despite the deadlock, the FCC issued a press release stating that Verizon’s petition “was deemed granted by operation of law.” The circuit did not overturn the decision, because it said the law clearly states that, in deadlocks, “a petition is deemed granted if the (FCC) ‘does not deny’ it.” See ruling.